Earl Buford

“MEP [Milwaukee Education Partnership] matters because it brings us all together, it’s building an educational base, and it’s bringing resources to the area.”

- Earl Buford, CEO, Employ Milwaukee

Earl Buford’s career includes 18 years of experience in workforce development, diversity initiatives, and executive leadership. In July of 2014, Mr. Buford became the president and CEO of Employ Milwaukee, where his focus is to strengthen and grow workforce development in the Milwaukee area. In his previous position as the president and CEO of the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership/BIG-STEP (WRTP/ BIG-STEP), Buford developed strong partnerships with national and state wide businesses, labor unions, government agencies and non-profit organizations to develop High Road workforce and economic development efforts.

In addition to his leadership of the WRTP/ BIG-STEP, Mr. Buford served on Tom Barrett’s mayoral transition team in 2004. Mr. Buford has served on and is affiliated with many local, state and national organizations including Vice President Joe Biden’s advisory task force on effective workforce strategies, the State of Wisconsin Apprenticeship Advisory Council, and Mayor Tom Barrett’s Green Team.